Snatch block



Nov. 26, 1946.

J. C. JAQUES SNATCH BLOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 21;, 1945 Jblzrz C Aque S W Nov. 26, 1946. J. c. JA 'uEs SNATCH BLOCK Filed April 21, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jo/zn C Jaqu s v Patented Nov. 26, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT QI-FICE v 2, 4i1,625 v SNATCH BLOCK J ohn C. J aques, Denison, Tex. Application April 21, 1945, Serial No. 589,539 3 Claims. (01. 254-194) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in snatch block's.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved snatch block wherein a simple and novel latch means is employed and the use of nuts, bolts, pivoted latches and other complications are eliminated.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved device involving a readily operated and efficient cross latching member for the side plates which is sturdy, inexpensive and free of separable parts, thus permitting it to be made as a single unit, whereby it adequately fastens the side plates together, but effectively holds them against spreading.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved latching or fastening means which may be operated by a simple lifting and sliding movement to open or closethe block;

Y A further object of the invention is to provide an improved snatch blockincluding a, latch member permanently attached to the blockand arranged to be shifted so as to sufiiciently open the block to permit a cable to be inserted in the block orremoved therefrom. A construction designed to carry out the invention .will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention. v

The invention will be more readily understood from a. reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings,

wherein an example of the invention is shown,

and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view of a snatch block constructed in accordance with the inventiompartly in perspective and partly in section,

Fig. 2 is a reduced perspective view of the opposite side of the block,

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the lower portion of the block, and

Fig. 4 is a perspective-view of the latch block.

In the drawings, the numeral l designates a side plate, and I l a complementary side plate. The plates are formed with enlarged arcuate head portions l2 having reduced shanks I3 extending therefrom. An axle I 4 is rotatably confined in r and across the heads by nuts I 5 fastened by lock nuts IS. A sheave or pulley I1 is mounted on the axle between the plates. The particular construction of pulley mounting is not involved in the invention.

2 end thereof and the bottom of said vertical slot is substantially semicircular, as-indicated at 2|. The shank l3 of the plate II is formed with a vertical slot 22, opposite and complementary to the slot 20. The slot 22 also has a substantially semicircular bottom 23.

A latch block or member 24, as is best shown in. Fig. 4, is adapted to engage in the vertical slots 20 and 22 and to rest on the bottoms thereof between the shanks of the side plates. At its central portion the block is formed with a depending enlargement or boss and at its ends with flat upright cheek or face portion 26. Depending lugs 21, having substantially semicircular bottoms, constitute the lower ends of the cheek portions 26. Between the lugs the block is provided on it's under side with substantially semicircularshoulders or hearing portions 28.

When the block is mounted in the slots 20 and 22the shoulders 28 will rest upon the bottoms 2| and 23, the boss 25 will depend between the plates below said bottoms and the lugs 21 will overhang the outer faces'of the side plates. It will be observed that the block has a width less than the widths of the slots 20 and 23 whereby said block has ample clearance therein; however the shoulders have a width only slightly greater than the thickness of 'each plate so that the block is held against excessive end play by the boss 25 and the lugs 21. p

The cheek portion 21 which overhangs the but could be welded thereto. in place the bar extends transversely of the outer face of the plate ID, a substantial distance on each side of theslot 20. While the bar 29 is spaced from the plate ID by the adjacent lug 21, it has sufii'cient length to prevent relative displacement of the said plate and the block and in actual construction is close enough to the plate to prevent undue spreading of the latter.

The shank l3 of the plate in is provided with.

a cruciform opening l8 including a. transverse slot l9 and a vertical slot 20. The transverse slot intersects the vertical slot nearer the upper It is pointed out that the Width of the block 24 is such as to permit it to be passed through both of the vertical slots 20 and 22. The latch block is initially passed through the slots 20 and 22 from the right hand side of the snatch block (Figs. 1 and 3). After the latch block is in position, a keeper bar 30 of substantially the same size and shape as the bar 29 is welded or otherwise fastened to the cheek 26 adjacent the plate H and in horizontal alinement with the bar 29. By this arrangement the latch block becomes a movable, but permanent part of the snatch block and cannot becom detached therefrom.

To open the snatch block it is merely necessary to lift the latch block 24 upwardly in the slots and 22 until the latch bar 29 registers with the horizontal slot l9. By moving the block 24 transversely of the plates and toward the right (Figs. 1 and 3), the bar 29 will pass through the slot is and come to rest against the inner face of the plate II. It will be noted that only the bar 29 remains between the shanks l3 of the side plates and otherwise the space therebetween is unobstructed, whereby access may be had to the pulley H for removing or placing a cable in the snatch block. The bar 23, coacting with the keeper bar 30 will prevent longitudinal displacement of the latch block from the plate l I, when said latch block is moved in eithendirection'. The method of latching or closing the snatch block is believed to be obvious. While it is not necessary to rotate the side plate ID on the axle Hi, this may be done if desired, to further open the snatch block. 1

. For supporting a hook or other attachment, the top of the latch block 24, above the boss 25, is iormedwith a transverse recess 3! having an arcuate bottom 32. The latch block is a single unit and with the slots 19, 20, and .2! forms a very simple and substantial latching means. The weight imparted by the boss 25, as well as the downwardly offset projection thereof, aids in holding the latch block at the bottoms of the vertical slots. When a load is imposed upon the latch block the shoulders 28 will be held firmly in engagement with the slot bottoms 2| and 23 and the lugs 21 and boss will confine the shanks l2 of the side plates against spreading.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, so long as within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 7

What I claim Patent is:

l. A snatch block including, a pair of side plates having a pulley journaled therebetween, each of said plates having a slot spaced from the pulley, a one-piece latch block disposed in said slots between the plates and having a boss intermediate the ends of the block engaging whenin an operative position between the side plates for preventing the plates from being forced together, bearing portions on the latch block engaging the plates, and lugs on the th bearing portions engaging and desire to secure by Letters the outer sides of latch block outward of passage of one of the the plates for preventing spreading of the plates, said lugs and boss forming a portion of the onepiece latch block, and bars secured to the ends of the latch block and spaced from the side plates, one of said plates having an additional lot for the passage of one of the bars to allow lateral shifting of the latch block to open the snatch block, said bars permanently confining the block within the slot of one plate.

2. A snatch block including, a pair of side plates having apulley journaled therebetween, each of said plates having an elongate slot, one of which slots is cruciform, a one-piece latch block disposed in said slots between the plates and having a boss intermediate the ends of the block engaging when in an operative position between the side plates for preventing the plates from being forced together, bearing portions on the latch block engaging the plates, and lugs on thelatch block outward of the bearing portions engaging the outer sides of the plates for preventingspreadi-ng of the plates, said lugs and boss forming a portion of the one-piece latch block, and bars secured to the ends of the latch block and spaced from the side plates, the cruciform slot permitting and providing for the passage of one of the bars to allow lateral shifting of the latch block to open the snatch block, said bars permanently confining the block Within the slot of one plate.

3. A snatch block including, a pair of side plates having a pulley journaled therebetween, each of said plates having a slot spaced from the pulley, a one-piece latch block disposed in said slots between the plates and having a boss intermediate the ends of the block engaging when in an operative position between the side plates for preventing the plate from being forced together, bearingportions on the latch block engaging the'plates, and lugs on the latch block outward of the bearing portions engaging the outer sides of the plates for preventing spreading of the plates, saidlugs andboss. forming a portion of the one-piece latch block, and barsv secured to the ends. of the latch block and spaced from the side being. less in width than the latch block in heighth so that the bar may be welded to they latch block from'the outer sideof the bar, one of said plates having an additional slotior the bars to allow lateral shifting of the latch block to open the snatch block, said bars permanentlycon-fining the block within the slot of one plate. 7

7 JOHN C., JAQUES.

plates, at least one of said bars, 

